Friday, May 20, 2011

The one in which there are no crafty pics. Just a bit of my news.

Hey there! If you are hoping for any crafty news or pretty pictures, turn away now.

I don't usually put lots of personal stuff in this space but I have had such an eventful time recently that I feel the need to document the experience here.

So, last month we had a big family passover dinner at my parents place. My 84 year old Dad had been feeling pretty unwell and had a terrible pain in his back. Within a couple of days, he became quite confused and developed a fever. We got him quickly to hospital.

It turned out that a bacteria that lives normally in the gut had made its way into his blood stream and his spinal column. The infection was causing lots of pain as well as the confusion which manifested as aggression and agitation+++. My Mum was at the receiving end of most of the aggression so my siblings and I were spending lots of time at the hospital to try to give her a break.

After loads of intravenous antibiotics and an operation on his back, followed by a stint in rehab, he is home again. Still having the IV antibiotics and still fairly agitated but seems to be on the mend.

While all this was going on, I was having a fairly routine procedure at my doctors and a nasty looking cyst was found on my left ovary. Although it was likely a benign cyst, it (and the ovary) would have to be removed. Only a post-op pathology inspection would be able to tell us for sure whether I had ovarian cancer.

My surgery was booked for yesterday. Naturally, I have been extremely anxious and worried about the outcome of the surgery.

To take my mind off it all, my 7 year old son kindly provided a perfect distraction by breaking both his arms at school on Tuesday. A friend dared him to jump off some play equipment and, being a 7 year old boy, he did!! Landed on both his hands. Crack!

Not only have we been dealing with doctors and x-rays and plaster casts, we have discovered that without the use of his hands, he needs to be spoon-fed, dressed and taken to the toilet. It's just like having a baby again.

We have also had to work quickly to find him a carer to help with his personal care at school. Otherwise, he'd potentially be at home for 6 weeks until the casts are taken off. That would drive everyone crazy and simply isn't an option. He'll be back at school next Tuesday and we hope we have found a suitable person. We are meeting her on Monday. Fingers crossed.

Wednesday night came along and we got the news that Dan's grandmother was in hospital after having on of her 'turns'. She's home now and doing much better.

In other family news my 15 year old niece has had to have some dental surgery which has left her very sore and sorry for herself. I wish I'd had the chance to give her a bit more support but my hands have been fairly full.

And so, I had my surgery yesterday and was in hospital overnight. The fantastic news is that surgeon feels it is almost certainly a benign cyst and he was able to save most of my ovary. Relief doesn't even begin to describe my emotions.

I'm home now and feeling pretty sore. But at least I'll be able to spend a couple of hours at the school fete tomorrow. Did I forget to mention that I am coordinating the craft stall? Of course there has been lots of making going on for that and hopefully I'll have some good crafty shots to show you after tomorrow.

I haven't told many people about all this stuff going on for me, until now. But to those of you who have known and sent messages, meals and been so very supportive in other ways, thank you!!
I feel so blessed to be surrounded by caring people ... a wonderful community ... and incredible friends.

Love to you all and I promise the next post will be much cheerier and more colourful.

Andi xxx

66 comments:

fi said...

oh Andi what a ride! love to you, your boy, your dad and your remaining ovary xxxxx fi

Bianca Jae Makes Stuff said...

Lots and lots and LOTS of hugs and love. Take care xox

yardage girl said...

"Superwoman" comes to mind after reading all of that. Look after yourself, and hopefully that's the end of medical stuff for your family for a while. You've had your fair share, to say the least.

Kate said...

Oh Andi, I can't believe everything that has happened to you. I am so glad you and everyone seems to be on the mend. xx

Ruth said...

Sounds like you have been living an absolute nightmare. I hope you have chance to take a bit of time for yourself amongst all the events around you, and that life gets back to normal for you pretty soon. Hugs.

Kelli said...

Big Hugs mate!
I REALLY REALLY hope you are all past the worst of it and that things are going to be a whole lot better from now on!
Keep smiling!
xxx

Christie said...

Andi, I hope the worst is behind you.

Xxx

Tanya said...

that sounds like far too much excitement. Take care xx

Tania said...

Oh. My. Goodness.

Andi, sweet lady, if you co-ordinate any craft stall anything tomorrow I'm going to be spitting! Which school? I'll go and do it - you lounge around in bed doing quilty daydreamy stuff. Seriously, sweetheart, you've had a heck of a time and a bit of uncharacteristic slowing down could be the order of the day??? xxx

bec said...

oh, shit! You've had enought this week to last the year! Glad your Dad's better, and as for Jake- boys!! Can't beleive you can hire a doodle holder teehee

My MummaMoments said...

Oh Andi! Sending you much love and positive energy! Hope you are doing okay, not sure how I would be in your shoes! Glad to hear you have special people wrapping you up in love and support. xxx

mybeardedpigeon@gmail.com said...

Holy shit Andi!! I am with Tania- you CANNOT do the school fete tomorrow!!! You must not!!! My god you poor thing. I am sending big love!!! Xxxxx

CurlyPops said...

Oh my goodness Andi!!! What a stressful time.
I hope that you're on the mend and that you have someone to take care of you as well. Maybe a weekend on the couch might be in order (with lots of pampering)?

Kate said...

Holy crap!! Oh Andi, you poor thing. I've writen about ten posts about one operation and here you are dealing with all this. I feel useless all the way over here. I wish you all patience and health and a sense of humour. Thinking of you. xx

Copper Patch said...

Sending much and big, big love to you and your fam Andi. Take care xxx

Unknown said...

oh good grief. Andi - you poor thing, what an absolute nightmare few weeks. It never rains but it pours, eh?
I'm so glad your lump was benign, and hope you recover soon.
BUT TAKE IT EASY!!! Let someone else worry about the craft stall.

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

Sending you much love Andi ~ it sure sounds like you need a little crafty break once all things have settled down.

Hope your feeling better and that Jake's recovery is smooth sailing. Fingers crossed the personal carer works out for you all.

xx
Rita

Quilts on Bastings said...

OMG - what a couple of weeks you have had! Hopefully thinks will start to look up from here on in. Take care,
Karen

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oh Andi, such a difficult stressful time. Hope you can get some recovery time for yourself in there somewhere. Sending you love vibes! Cathy xo

Anna said...

Oh no! Now THAT is a horror run. Glad that all signs are good for you and hope that things ease soon (although it sounds like another hard few weeks ahead caring for your son). Take care; sending strength and healing thoughts your way!

Julie said...

Oh Andi thats a terrible chain of events. I hope the worst is over. Glad you are in the clear and I hope you get a lovely carer for your little fellow.

Unknown said...

Andi, My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. My goodness if it isn't one thing it is another. But the bright side is that everyone is now on the mend. Hope all goes like clockwork for your son and you! Get better quickly!

Lisa said...

Wow, when it rains it pours right? You seem to have a really good attitude though, and that is 95% of the battle. Congrats to the ovary! Glad everyone will mend with time. Good luck with the craft stall, can't wait to see all the wares. Love to you and yours.

Helen said...

Oh Andi! What a battle! I am soooooo glad you are alright though and you came through good on the surgery. Phew, benign. I'm glad. xx

Vickie said...

I am so sorry you have been going through so much! And it has been "much". Hopefully, as you go through, you will all become closer and some good can come from all the troubles. So glad your surgery had a good result! Praying for you! Hugs!

Christine said...

Dear Andi,
that is way too much to be thrown at you - I hope and pray for good results of your op and that those boys in your life are ok too.

Christine xo

Megs said...

Wow Andi, you have really had a rough trot! I hope everyone is on the mend now and you get to relax and look after yourself. Good luck with the carer xx

Edamommy2 said...

**hugs**

Jodi said...

Wow, andi! and to think a bunch of us were just complaining about the weather! So glad you received good news. I hope your son heals quickly! Love that scraptastic quilt in the right top header!

Jennadesigns said...

I am so glad to hear that things are looking up for you and your family! It can be a rough ride sometimes, and strangely, I avoid talking about my own on my blog - cause I like to keep it happy - but on the occasions I do divulge more personal information, I am always amazed at the support out there. I'll be thinking of you and your family and sending good thoughts your way! Take care Andi!

Jen said...

WOW...first off, I'm glad that you are home and fingers crossed that it was benign and that is all taken care of. Second, your son...Oh my! Boys will be boys right? I can't even imagine how awful that must be! i never thought about how much you would have to do it one broke both arms. YUCK! I'm sure he's probably pretty miserable too. Take care and I hope everything work out for the best and you all are healthy and back to normal soon! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Talk about a bod time! You'll be in my prayers.

Meg said...

Holy yikes, Andi! Keeping you and all of yours in my thoughts, and hope you're all on the mend and back to normal very soon!

Lorraine said...

Holy Moly , I hope that's the end of it !!
Very happy that your biopsy news is good & family are on the mend .
xx

Frogdancer said...

It never rains....

glad you were able to find somebody to help. Breaking both arms. At least he's thorough!

Leanne said...

You must have crossed the path of a black cat and walked under a ladder. Hopefully all is behind you now well except 6 Weeks of 2 broken arms. I work for a gynae so I am glad to hear you only ended up with a cystectomy.

Anonymous said...

hopefully you are all on the mend Andi! hugs to all of you

x

Leanne said...

OH NO!!! Hope that's the end of the bad luck. And your son... I have 3 boys and everytime they go outside I wait for the scream. Boys will try anything. Glad your ovary was OK. Girl stuff can be terrifying sometimes.
Wishing you all the best and speedy recoveries. xo

Mary-Anne said...

Aren't these things only supposed to happen in threes? Must mean that you're in for some terrific times and fabulous news. Glad to hear that everyones on the mend. Take it easy (as much as you can). M-A

sandra said...

Hugs and prayers, it doesn't rain but it pours. I can only say to you that the turn around was the good news that the cyst on ovary wasn't cancer. So now things can only get better. Boys will be boys, he has learnt a hard lesson. Wishing all the best for a fast recovery for you and your family. Blessings and hugs

Jenny from Ohjoh said...

Crikey -what a whirlwind at your place!
Hope you and yours are all on the mend. Glad to hear that your girl bits are now OK.
Goodluck to Jake. maybe by the end of it he'll be writing with his toes ???
May the rest of the year be a little less eventful for you guys!
Thinking of you
Jen

Leonie @ Cuppa and Cake said...

bloody hell!! geez love you'll be getting an extra squeeze from me on friday night. That is if you are still standing!!

Belinda aka beeware said...

Goodness..that is mad. Hoping for a peaceful time for you now. Love to you xx

Catherine said...

wow - what a lot you've had (are having) to deal with. wishing you all the very best, and hoping you get some rest and TLC in the midst of it all xx

meli B said...

Wow, I knew about your dad but OMG this has been a few weeks from hell for you. Both arms! Your son sure knows how to do things wholeheartedly. As for you, scary! Now I'm not so mad at you for beating me in "Words". You deserve a few wins! Hope all is good from now on xxx.

Cass said...

Andi I really hope everything starts to look up for your family. Take it easy

Jo (sparkly green knickers) said...

Oh my goodness, Andi! So full on! I feel for you all (but especially poor Jake!)
May you all have a speedy recovery
xxJo

cauchy09 said...

yikes! you are due some good peaceful times soon. i hope everyone is on the mend...

Miriam said...

((hugs)) Andi.

Take care of yourself and I hope you recover quickly.
Good luck with the person taking care of your DS at school.
I hope your Dad makes a swift recovery.

Susie said...

oh dear - how awful! Can only get better! All the best to everyone, especially you Andi!

Allison said...

Please accept some hugs from afar. It sounds like you need bunches of them!! Hope things settle down soon.

amitietextiles said...

Hopefully it is all behind you Andi and things just keep getting better

trash said...

Bloody Hell Andi! I thought things were tricksy enough with just the 'double broken arms' thing.

Fran said...

So sorry to hear about all you have been coping with... hope things are better from now on x

Quilting Corner said...

You know the expression "When it rains, it pours". It looks like that was what was happening to you and your family. May you and your son heal quickly and may there only be good news from now on.
Fondly, Etty

anhaga sae / lisa said...

What a rough ride! I hope things get back to normal, and you're feeling 100% again soon Adni!

Michelle said...

Oh Andi, what a dreadful state of affairs! Poor everybody, especially Jake. Both arms! And glad the ovary is all good. Speedy recovery to everyone! xx

flowerpress said...

Poor Andi, that all sounds overwhelming. I hope only good comes your way now and that you feel better soon. And I agree, you should take it slow and let yourself catch up. x

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Sending your Super Sized Cyber (((hugs))) hope things settle down soon.

audreypawdrey said...

Wow! You have had so much going on! I hope everyone heals quickly and thing started looking better for all of you!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Andi, I had no idea! I am so sorry that you have had such a crappy run. Thinking of you, and hoping everyone is on the mend ASAP.

Hi! My name is erica. Would you be my friend? said...

Oh my...that's unreal. Completely unreal! I can't imagine how overwhelmed you must be! I do hope things settle down now and everyone stays healthy!

Kirsty said...

xxx

One Flew Over said...

Onward & Upward x

Nikki said...

Yikes! I'm just doing a bit of a bloggy catch-up here and it looks like I missed this post. YOu've been through the mill, lovey, and I hope it's the last you see of it for a while. SHeesh. Drought and flood, huh?

Corrie said...

oh andi I had no idea! you poor love! I'm so glad everyone is ok and especially you. cancer terrifies me! that is one rollercoaster

your craft stall for school looks amazing! I chose the wrong school in our church as ours doesn't do a fete but the other school has a huge fete and craft stall!!!

corrie:)